Research Engineer / Assistant Research Engineer- Preclinical Sarcoma Models (F/M)

Institut Curie - Research Center; France; On-site; EUR 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Collective catering

Remboursement des frais de transport

Assurance santé complémentaire

Job summary

Institut Curie - Research Center recherche un(e) ingénieur de recherche assistant/chercheur pour soutenir l'équipe RACER (Rare Cancers Exploration and Research). Le titulaire travaillera sous la supervision du Dr.

Sarah Watson au sein de l’unité Chemical Biology of Cancers (INSERM U1339, CNRS UMR366) et contribuera au développement et à la caractérisation de modèles précliniques dans les cancers rares, notamment les cancers à origine inconnue et les sarcomes.

Qualifications

• Diplôme master ou ingénieur en biologie, biotechnologie ou sciences biologiques.
• Expérience 2 à 5 ans dans le développement de modèles cellulaires/animaux en oncologie.
• Certifications animales et autorisation GMOs souhaitées.
• Maîtrise des techniques de biologie moléculaire et de culture cellulaire.

Responsibilities

• Établir et caractériser des lignées cellulaires et organoïdes provenant de patients.
• Développer des systèmes 3D et des co-cultures avec cellules stromales/immuns.
• Maintenir et annoter les biobanques et les modèles.
• Réaliser des tests fonctionnels et des écrans de drugs.
• Contribuer à la traçabilité, à la qualité des données et à la publication.

Skills

Français courant

Anglais scientifique

Autonomie

Rigueur expérimentale

Organisation

Education

Master ou diplôme d'ingénieur en biologie

Tools

GraphPad Prism

FlowJo

ImageJ/Fiji

R

Python

Job description

Organisation/Company Institut Curie - Research Center Department Administration Research Field Medical sciences » Cancer research Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Master Positions Application Deadline 16 Dec 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 16 Oct 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The hosting structure

The Curie Institute Research Center

France’s leading cancer research and treatment centre, Institut Curie unites a renowned research centre and a specialist hospital, fostering close collaboration between scientists, clinicians and healthcare professionals. It offers an environment of excellence where expertise comes together around shared values: care, humanity, openness, collaboration, efficiency, innovation, solidarity and commitment.

Laboratory

The RACER (Rare Cancers Exploration and Research) team, led by Dr. Sarah Watson within the Chemical Biology of Cancers Unit (INSERM U1339, CNRS UMR366), conducts translational research focused on rare cancers, particularly cancers of unknown primary (CUP) and soft tissue sarcomas. The team integrates genomic and transcriptomic approaches, including single-cell analyses, with innovative preclinical models and direct access to patient cohorts and biological samples from Institut Curie.

This position aims to support and expand the team's preclinical modeling activities, including cell lines, 3D cultures, organoids, and PDX. These models are central to therapeutic target validation and drug screening projects in sarcoma research. The successful candidate will work under the direct supervision of Dr. Watson and interact closely with researchers and technological platforms at Institut Curie.

Missions

Development and Characterization of Models

• Establish and characterize sarcoma-derived cell lines, organoids, and PDX models from patient samples
• Develop and optimize 3D culture systems and co-cultures with stromal or immune cells
• Contribute to the maintenance, monitoring, and annotation of models and associated biobanks
• Perform functional assays, including viability, dose-response, and drug screening studies

Molecular and Cellular Characterization

• Extract nucleic acids and proteins and perform quality assessment
• Prepare sequencing samples and/or libraries and liaise with sequencing platforms
• Conduct standard molecular and cellular biology techniques, including RT-qPCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry
• Perform genetic engineering using transfection, lentiviral transduction, and CRISPR/Cas9
• Contribute to quality control and preliminary data analysis

Laboratory Organization and Scientific Contributions

• Ensure experimental traceability, data management, and regulatory compliance
• Participate in laboratory operations, including inventory management, purchasing, and equipment maintenance
• Train and support students and new team members in cell culture and preclinical modeling techniques
• Present research findings and contribute to publications, grant reports, and regulatory documentation

Constraints and risks

Work in a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory handling human samples

Occasional schedule flexibility required to accommodate cell culture experiments, in vivo studies, and receipt of clinical specimens.

Candidate Profile

Training and experience required

• Education and qualifications: Professional Bachelor's degree or University Bachelor of Technology (BUT) in Biology, Biotechnology, or Biological Sciences for an Assistant Research Engineer position; Master's degree (MSc) or Engineering degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Oncology, or Biotechnology for a Research Engineer position.
• Professional experience: 2 to 5 years of experience with a focus on the development of cellular and/or animal models in oncology.
• Certifications in laboratory animal science (designer or operator level) and authorization to work with Class 2 genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is an asset.
• Required expertise: Hands‑on experience with established and primary cell culture, 3D culture systems and organoids, molecular biology techniques and NGS library preparation, cellular imaging, and flow cytometry. A solid understanding of tumor biology is expected. Experience with sarcomas or other mesenchymal tumors would be advantageous but is not required.

Skills required

• Language skills: Fluent French and scientific English
• Computing skills: Proficiency with standard office software, electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs), and data analysis/quantification tools such as GraphPad Prism, FlowJo, and ImageJ/Fiji. Basic knowledge of R or Python for the exploration and analysis of sequencing data would be an asset.
• Personal skills: Strong experimental rigor and attention to traceability, ability to work independently and manage experiments autonomously, strong organizational skills with the capacity to handle multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines, enthusiasm for multidisciplinary teamwork involving clinicians, biologists, and bioinformaticians.
  

Contract information

Type of contract: Fixed-term contract

Starting date: as soon as possible

Duration: 2 years, renewable

Working time: full time 39 hours per week

Annual Gross Salary: from 27504€ to 31735€according to the current grids

Benefits: Collective catering, reimbursement of transportation fees up to 70%, supplementary health insurance

Deadline for application: to be completed

Faithful to the legacy of its founder, the Institut Curie is deeply committed to promoting equal opportunities, diversity, and inclusion. Convinced that diversity of backgrounds and experiences contributes to collective performance, we strive to provide everyone with a respectful and equitable working environment and encourage all candidates to apply for our job opportunities.

All our opportunities are open to people with disabilities